Volunteers who have served in Zambia consider it to be the “quintessential Peace Corps” experience.
The Rural Aquaculture Promotion project is focused primarily on the principles and practices of rural-based, small-scale, integrated agriculture technologies. Volunteers work in close collaboration with Zambia’s Department of Fisheries with the goal of improving rural livelihoods through fish farming.
“A man throws a fishing net over a small forest pond in Thailand. In this pond, villagers are able to cultivate small shrimp, catfish, clams, and snails following the monsoons of rainy season, lasting from July through October. Ponds like these can be found in nearly every Isan village and play an important role in rural food self-sufficiency.”
Almost everyone from my village after harvesting my host family’s fish pond and small dam. Fish harvests draw a big crowd… everyone wants to eat some fish!
Do you have agriculture and environment skills? Put them to work in Zambia! Apply by 8/30/14 to depart in January 2015 for these positions:
Linking Income, Food, and Environment Volunteer
An aquaculture extension Volunteer in Zambia shares a photo of her community’s fish pond
“I think these photos sum up the Peace Corps Aquaculture Program, in that by teaching people how to raise fish they are able to provide themselves with a sustainable protein source that can increase health.”
Peace Corps Agriculture Volunteer Chris Kelly, who served in Zambia from 2001-2003, helped his community build these fish ponds to help introduce more protein into their diets. The child holding the fish is most likely suffering from Kwashiorkor Syndrome, which is a severe protein malnutrition that affects children.